Bianca Castro
Courts editor
Contact info
- Tel:
- 020 3985 8092
- Email:
- bianca.castro@lawsociety.org.uk
- News
Juror pilot will provide free counselling following distressing trials
Ministry of Justice will find ‘first of its kind’ pilot which will also include a 24/7 telephone helpline providing support, advice and information.
- News
‘Sarcastic’ judge warned for shouting at legal representative in family hearing
Investigation following a complaint from a litigant in family proceedings found the district judge had been ‘sarcastic and condescending’.
- News
In depth: SFO chief on his vision for the enforcement body
After unveiling the SFO’s five-year strategy, director Nick Ephgrave spoke to the Gazette about how the agency intends to harness technology to improve disclosure. He also wants the agency to be ‘career-enhancing’ for its lawyers.
- News
EXCLUSIVE: 'I felt I was fighting for my life': Stratford duty solicitor describes being pinned down by court security
Gazette speaks to duty solicitor involved in Stratford Magistrates' Court incident - who says he does not feel safe to return.
- News
‘Dine and dash’ solicitor struck off over £60 Harvester bill
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal says a strike-off was the ‘only appropriate sanction’ to deal with the convicted fraudster.
- News
Solicitor ‘injured’ in incident with court security officers
London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association demands ‘immediate suspension’ of all court security staff involved.
- News
‘Public access barrister’ practised while suspended
Bar Standards Board says disbarment shows ‘seriousness of misconduct as well as repeated nature of failures to comply with regulatory obligations’.
- News
SRA fines sole practitioner £5,000 over accounts failings
Solicitors Regulation Authority says the 'recurring issues…over a significant period of time' had the 'potential to cause harm to the firm’s clients'.
- News
Partner promotions dip at Clifford Chance
New promotions announced by Clifford Chance and Kennedys will take effect on 1 May.
- News
Law Society calls for civil legal aid increase over unrepresented parties in family court
Society president says more action is needed as ‘rise in litigants in person [creates] further pressure on system already in crisis’.
- News
Magistrate who ‘ranted loudly’ at court staff issued with formal warning
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office says the office holder apologised at the time over ‘comments which were considered inappropriate or threatening’.
- News
Claim for £68m dismissed as losses ‘were not attributable to firm’s alleged negligence’
High Court also refuses amendments to claim, centred on a failed investment scheme, against another firm which ‘lacked clarity and coherence’.
- News
Supreme Court allows government appeal over ‘limbo’ asylum seeker
Court finds secretary of state’s decision over Belarussian’s status ‘struck a fair balance’ between his individual rights and general interest of community.
- News
SRA fights costs order in ‘flawed from top to bottom’ prosecution
Solicitors Regulation Authority argues SDT’s £74,950 order should not have been made as case was not improperly brought.
- News
Judge’s delayed ruling leads to formal advice
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office finds 18 months between hearing and judgment amounted to misconduct.
- News
'Unreasonable' apprentice-solicitor ordered to pay tribunal costs
Judge finds ‘just and proper’ to make costs order for brief fee incurred by Mishcon de Reya in employment tribunal hearing.
- News
SRA appeals over costs of failed prosecution
Solicitors Regulation Authority, appealing against £74,950 costs order by Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, claim 20% of costs were not validly claimed.
- News
Judge dismisses case against activist who held up placard on jurors’ rights
High Court finds Solicitor General’s case 'does not disclose a reasonable basis for committal', and that Trudi Warner’s conduct did not amount to contempt.
- News
Ten conveyancing firms accused over failed property development
High Court rules on application brought by north-west firm Vincents Solicitors to strike out negligence claim lodged by 35 claimants.
- News
‘Popular’ employee at high street firm was constructively dismissed
Working relationship between accredited police station rep and one of the firm’s partners was at ‘heart’ of proceedings.